Caucus of Academic Reps (CAR) Weekly Digest November 23, 2016

http://www.amstat.org/education/aboutthecaucus.cfm

Table of Contents

Positions: (see all the latest jobs on the ASA Job Web) (1) National Institute of Statistical Sciences: Director (2) Purdue University Department of Statistics: faculty position in bioinformatics (3) Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service: statistical survey methodologist (4) University of California, Davis, Department of Public Health: open rank data scientist

position (5) Penn State Statistics Department: multiple positions (6) Penn State, Meteorology and Atmospheric Science and Statistics (joint): open rank position (7) Columbia University, Department of Biostatistics: open-rank faculty position(s) (8) Case Western Reserve University, Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and

Statistics: assistant professor in statistics (tenure-track) (9) Texas Tech University, Department of Mathematics and Statistics: multiple positions (10) Northeastern University, Department of Mathematics: assistant teaching professor

Funding opportunities: Visit the ASA’s Funding Opportunities Community for recent past information. (You’ll need to log in to ASA Members Only.)

(1) NIH Request for Information on Strategies for Data Sharing (2) DARPA: Synergistic Discovery and Design (SD2) program

Other opportunities or information:

(1) American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) Statement on Election Polling

(2) The World of Statistics will now list job openings

(3) National Academies Roundtable Meeting on Data Science Education

(4) NSF Visualization Challenge

(5) Top News Items from the ASA

(6) Submit a proposal to the ASA Biopharm Section Regulatory-Industry Statistics Workshop

(1) National Institute of Statistical Sciences: Director

The National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS) seeks a talented statistical scientist to serve as its

Director. In 2015, NISS celebrated its 25th anniversary with a renewed focus on its mission to identify,

catalyze and foster high impact research and to offer exceptional opportunities for training to promote

and advance the statistical and data sciences in the United States.

NISS is a multi-hub national institute that delivers research on critical issues in science and in public

policy by leveraging the rich expertise of its staff with that of its affiliated organizations in academia,

industry and government. With hubs in both the Research Triangle in North Carolina and Washington,

DC, NISS is committed to providing statistical services that advance science, policy and global issues.

Outward focus of NISS is the goal for the next 25 years. NISS seeks a Director to expand impact while

retaining and growing its active hubs and increasing its engagement with the broader statistical

community. The hallmark of a NISS project is the high level of expertise that leads to relevant and

implementable solutions. NISS achieves high-quality results by pairing experienced senior leadership

with teams of talented (post-PhD) junior researchers and technical staff.

The Director of NISS also serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is responsible for every aspect

of the Institute’s vision and operation, including:

• Serving as NISS’ most articulate and persuasive advocate.

• Envisioning, developing and executing the scientific programs of NISS.

• Ensuring continued independence, unassailable quality, and the relevance and timeliness of the

NISS research portfolio.

• Recruiting, nurturing and strengthening community engagement in support of NISS.

• Safeguarding the fiscal health of NISS while maintaining the strength of the NISS Affiliates

Programs.

The Director also oversees the scientific and support staff of NISS. S/he leads the selection, mentoring

and career advancement of postdoctoral fellows, and sets the tone and style of NISS as an employer.

Qualifications for the Director and CEO of NISS include a Ph.D. in the statistical sciences or a related

discipline, a strong record of scientific accomplishment, experience in assembling, securing resources,

and managing cross disciplinary, multi-organization collaborations, superb communication skills and

enthusiasm about NISS. It is desirable, but not essential that the Director also hold a faculty

appointment at a major research university.

Additional information about NISS is available at www.niss.org.

Positions

The search committee’s goal is for the new Director to begin on July 1, 2017 with a transition period to

follow. The Director is expected to take over the full responsibilities of running NISS no later than

January 1, 2018.

Applications and nominations should be sent to directorsearch@niss.org. Applicants should submit a

letter of interest, CV/resume’, and contact information for five references. Review of applications will

begin immediately, and will continue until the Director position is filled.

Either the Board of Trustees Chair Mary Batcher and/or the Search Committee Chair Ray Bain may be

contacted with questions and inquiries. These questions/inquiries should be sent to

directorsearchquestions@niss.org.

(2) Purdue University Department of Statistics: faculty position in bioinformatics

The Department of Statistics, Purdue University invites applications for a tenured faculty position

beginning August 2017 at the rank of Professor in the area bioinformatics that is broadly defined as

statistical applications to biological studies.

The recent investment by Purdue University in pillars of excellence in life sciences provides additional

excellent opportunities in bioinformatics. Further information about the department is available at

http://www.stat.purdue.edu and about the pillars of excellence in life sciences at

www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/pillars .

All applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Statistics or a related field, and have demonstrated excellence in

research and teaching. An established funding history and the ability to lead interdisciplinary research

projects are strongly preferred. Salary and benefits are highly competitive. To apply, please visit

www.stat.purdue.edu/hiring .

Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2016 and will continue until the position is filled.

(3) Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service: statistical survey

methodologist

The US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS) is seeking an experienced

mathematical statistician with expertise in statistical survey methodology (including survey design,

sampling, and estimation) and in statistical modeling. The incumbent will lead the methodological

research focused on the USDA’s new survey, The National Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey

(FoodAPS). FoodAPS (http://www.ers.usda.gov/FoodAPS) breaks new ground in food acquisition data

collection by using some of the most innovative approaches to gather unique, comprehensive, and

consistent consumer food acquisitions data that have not been available in previous surveys. FoodAPS-1

was fielded in 2012, and FoodAPS-2 is now being developed. Come and research various aspects of the

survey procedures, publish in peer-reviewed journals and in ERS reports, and lead the creation of the

second generation of FoodAPS. If you have any question about the position, please reach out to Mark

Denbaly (mdenbaly@ers.usda.gov or 202-527-5122). The vacancy announcement is at:

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/456702000

(4) University of California, Davis, Department of Public Health: open rank data scientist

position

The University of California, Davis (UCD) Department of Public Health in the conjunction with the

Department of Neurology and the Alzheimer’s disease Center invite applications for a Data Scientist at

the level of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in the In Residence series. This position will support

research information technology including data management, data analysis, and substantive science

connected with the Alzheimer’s disease Center and associated research studies on determinants of

successful cognitive aging in diverse older populations (Neuroscience of Cognitive Aging Training

Program @ UC Davis).

Qualified candidates will have a Doctoral degree in a field related to data science, including but not

limited to statistics/biostatistics, epidemiology, psychometrics, quantitative psychology, and computer

science. Candidates will have skills and experience in working with comprehensive information

management systems for coordinated clinical and translational research programs, and experience with

database design and programming. Knowledge, experience, and skills in perform complex statistical and

psychometric analyses of longitudinal data and the ability to work cooperatively and collegiality within a

diverse environment are also required.

Candidates must have an established record of research in Alzheimer’s disease and/or cognitive aging

with a history of publications in high-impact scientific journals, or, if at the more junior level, strong

evidence of ability. Competitive applications will also show strong promise of an externally funded

program of research.

The candidate holding this position will be expected to contribute to ongoing original research on

cognitive aging at UC Davis through data management, data analysis, and manuscript writing, including

developing new publications as a primary author. Development of an externally funded program of

research will be strongly encouraged.

Qualified applicants should upload a cover letter, CV, statement of research, statement of contributions

to diversity and names and contact information of three references online at:

recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF01294.

For first consideration, applications should be received by 12/31/2016. However, the position will be

open until filled through 02/28/2017.

Interested applicants are welcome to contact Dr. DeCarli, cdecarli@ucdavis.edu Search Committee

Chair, for additional information, please contact, Ms. Jennifer Aten (jaten@ucdavis.edu).

(5) Penn State Statistics Department: multiple positions

Tenure track Faculty Positions: Assistant Professor and Open-Rank Positions

Bruce Lindsay Visiting Assistant Professor Program: A prestigious position created in memory of

Professor Bruce Lindsay

Data Ethics: Open-rank tenure-track joint position with the College of Information Sciences and

Technology

More information here: stat.psu.edu/jobs

(6) Penn State, Meteorology and Atmospheric Science and Statistics (joint): open rank

position

The Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, the Department of Statistics and the

Institute for CyberScience at The Pennsylvania State University invite applications for a tenured or

tenure-track position at any rank (Assistant/Associate/Full Professor) with demonstrated contributions

applying analytical approaches to weather and climate risk assessment.

Apply through https://psu.jobs/job/66477 https://careers.agu.org/job/8000246/tenure-track-open-

rank/?LinkSource=PremiumListing

(7) Columbia University, Department of Biostatistics: open-rank faculty position(s)

The Department of Biostatistics at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health seeks

applicants for open-rank tenured or tenure-track faculty position(s) in Biostatistics.

Successful candidates will maintain an active research program, both in biostatistical methodology and

in collaborative research; teach effectively, both to graduate students in biostatistics and to students

from outside the department; mentor graduate students; provide service to the department, the school,

the university, and the profession.

Competitive candidates will hold a Doctorate degree in statistics, biostatistics, or related quantitative

field is by the start date. For a tenure track position, junior faculty candidates should demonstrate

strong potential in research and teaching, in addition to the ability to secure independent funding;

competitive senior faculty candidates should be internationally recognized scholars who demonstrate

excellence in research, teaching and mentoring. Consideration for tenure requires strong teaching,

research and publication records in addition to the ability to secure external funding.

Send a letter of interest accompanied with curriculum vitae

to: academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=63650

Review of applications begins in December 2016 and will continue until the position is filled.

Web Sites: Biostatistics (www.mailman.columbia.edu/academic-departments/...); MSPH

(http://www.mailman.columbia.edu/); CUMC (http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/).

You may contact Katy Hardy (ch336@cumc.columbia.edu) with any questions.

(8) Case Western Reserve University, Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics,

and Statistics: assistant professor in statistics (tenure-track)

The Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics at Case Western Reserve

University is searching for a tenure-track assistant professor in Statistics to begin in AY 2017/2018.

See mathjobs.org for more details: Case Western Reserve University

(9) Texas Tech University, Department of Mathematics and Statistics: multiple positions

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Texas Tech University invites applications for six

tenure-track positions with one position in statistics beginning fall semester 2017. While preference will

be given to junior faculty candidates for the rank of assistant professor, candidates with very strong

records of research productivity who will bring externally sponsored research to Texas Tech will be

considered for associate or full professor ranks. The department seeks candidates who will be engaged

in nationally visible scholarship, establish externally-funded research programs, interact with the

existing research groups, participate in interdisciplinary collaborations and service, involve graduate

students in their research, and show excellence in teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels. A

Ph.D. degree in mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, or a related area, at the time of

appointment, is required. A demonstrated record of peer reviewed publication is expected. Senior

applicants are expected to provide a strong record of scholarly research, teaching effectiveness, and

professional service. For more information please visit: https://www.mathjobs.org/jobs/jobs/8936

(10) Northeastern University, Department of Mathematics: assistant teaching professor

The Department of Mathematics seeks an Assistant Teaching Professor to assist in the Master of Science

Programs in Applied Mathematics and Operations Research (MSAM/MSOR). The Assistant Teaching

Professor will be expected to have a normal teaching load of up to five courses per year in addition to

service related responsibilities. Primary service responsibilities may include recruitment, admissions,

advising, scheduling and outreach to industry, under the direction of the Math Department Chair and

the MSAM/MSOR Director, as well as other administrative responsibilities determined by the

department chair. Specific service tasks will include developing contacts with industrial partners,

developing and implementing recruitment strategies for the MSAM and MSOR programs, and

developing online marketing tools for the programs.

The applicant must have a PhD degree in mathematics/applied mathematics/statistics or a related field

by the start of the appointment. Industrial experience is preferred but not required. Prior teaching

experience required at the university level. Position requires excellent communication skills and the

ability to work productively and successfully interact with students, faculty and staff.

Please apply here: neu.peopleadmin.com/postings/44572

Please include a list of at least three professional references with your application.

Northeastern University particularly welcomes applications from minorities, women and persons with

disabilities. Northeastern University is an E-Verify Employer. Research statements, reference letters, and

teaching statements can be submitted to www.mathjobs.org along with the other materials requested

there for preliminary review by the Search Committee.

(1) NIH Request for Information on Strategies for Data Sharing

NOT-OD-17-015<grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/...> NIH Request for Information (RFI) on

Strategies for NIH Data Management, Sharing, and Citation This RFI seeks comments on data

management and sharing strategies and priorities in order to consider: (1) how digital scientific data

generated from NIH-funded research should be managed, and to the fullest extent possible, made

publicly available; and, (2) how to set standards for citing shared data and software. More discussion on

this topic may be found in the OD Office of Science Policy blog, “The What and How of Data Sharing.”

(2) DARPA: Synergistic Discovery and Design (SD2) program

The Information Innovation Office of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has

released a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Synergistic Discovery and Design (SD2) program.

www.fbo.gov/...>

The SD2 program aims to develop data-driven methods to accelerate scientific discovery and robust

design in domains that lack complete scientific models. Robust design remains elusive in domains such

as synthetic biology, neuro-computation, cyber, and polymer chemistry due to the lack of high-fidelity

models. In such domains, small perturbations in the environment can lead to unexpected design

failures, and the number of engineering variables required to characterize stable operational envelopes

remains unknown. SD2 will address design in domains that lack complete models by extracting

information from petabytes of experimental data. SD2 will develop methods that discover models and

refine designs in parallel. To ensure realism, challenge problems drawn from cutting edge domains will

drive the development of SD2 methods. By the end of the program, SD2 will provide new data-driven

methods to accelerate discovery and design and create a cloud-based open data exchange for research

communities in complex domains.

Proposers are highly encouraged to submit an abstract to receive feedback on the proposed technical

approach prior to expending significant effort preparing a proposal that may potentially be out of

scope. Abstracts are due on December 13, 2016 by 12:00pm EST. Please refer to page 3 and 30 of the

BAA for details about the abstract due date, required content, and format. Submit your abstract using

the electronic upload submission system: https://baa.darpa.mil/. Abstracts submitted via email will not

be accepted.

Full proposals are due on February 14, 2017 by 12:00pm EST. Submit your proposal using the electronic

upload submission system: https://baa.darpa.mil/. Proposals submitted via email will not be accepted.

Funding opportunities and information

(1) American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) Statement on Election

Polling

AAPOR’s Council met today (11/17) and it strongly reaffirms its commitment to examine the

performance of the polls in the 2016 election through its Ad‐Hoc Committee on 2016 Election Polling.

The committee draws together prominent academics, election pollsters as well as authorities on public

opinion who are not directly involved in political polling. Every member of the committee understands

that its work must meet the highest standards of objectivity and thoroughness. Individually and as a

group, they are committed to achieving those goals. We are confident that the committee’s finished

report will be useful, fair, and an important contribution to our understanding of election polling.

We explored the possibility of shifting this work to the National Academy of Sciences. But it soon

became apparent that this would delay the publication of a report by at least a year, add considerable

cost, and likely would tap many of the same experts who are already members of the AAPOR

committee. The Council applauds the work the committee has done to date and looks forward to its

final report next year.

AAPOR also strongly condemns the recent extreme and unjustified personal attacks on some individual

pollsters. We understand that this has been a rancorous presidential campaign in which polls again

played an important and, at times, controversial role. We urge that both the critics of the polls and as

well as pollsters themselves avoid rushing to a final judgement about the quality of this year’s pre-

election surveys and await the committee’s review and other empirical studies.

Ad‐Hoc Committee on 2016 Election Polling

Chair: Courtney Kennedy (Pew Research Center)

Chris Wlezien (University of Texas)

Kristen Olson (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

Scott Clement (Washington Post)

Claire Durand (University of Montreal)

Lee Miringoff (Marist College)

Doug Rivers (Stanford, YouGov)

Mark Blumenthal (SurveyMonkey)

Kyley McGeeney (PSB)

Josh Clinton (Vanderbilt)

Evans Witt (PSRAI)

Charles Franklin (Marquette University)

Lydia Saad (Gallup)

(2) The World of Statistics will now list job openings

The World of Statistics is experimenting with adding job listings for statistics and data science to the

newsletter. There is no cost for listing available jobs, but listings must be limited to 250 words and

Other opportunities or information

include a link to where more detailed information about the position can be found. We hope this will be

a valuable service to the worldwide community of statisticians and data scientists. Send your listing to

ron@amstat.org.

Not familiar with this? The World of Statistics is a newsletter that goes out every 3-4 weeks to thousands

of societies, colleges and universities, businesses, and individuals.

(3) National Academies Roundtable Meeting on Data Science Education

Interested in data science education? The upcoming Roundtable Meeting on December 14th on "Data

Science Post-Secondary Education" may be of interest.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine invite you to attend a one-day meeting

and webcast on data science post-secondary education. This meeting will bring together data scientists

and educators to discuss how to define and strengthen existing data science programs and how to best

engage and retain data science students. For more information, download the preliminary program.

Because seating is limited for this event, in-person registrations will be accepted on a first-come first-

served basis and must be sent via email to Michelle Schwalbe at mschwalbe@nas.edu. In case you

cannot attend in person, we invite you to watch the live webcast. If you intend to join us online, please

register as a webcast participant. A link to the webcast will be made available closer to the event.

This event is the first of an ongoing series of roundtable meetings that will take place approximately four

times per year. This roundtable is organized by the Committee on Applied and Theoretical Statistics in

conjunction with the Board on Mathematical Sciences and Their Applications, the Computer Science and

Telecommunications Board, and the Board on Science Education.

More details and signup can be found at sites.nationalacademies.org/DEPS/BMSA/DEPS_175092

(4) NSF Visualization Challenge

NSF and Popular Science present

the

Vizzies finalists!

The top 10 in each category need your help to become the

People's Choice!

Visit the Vizzies voting gallery and pick your

favorite photo, illustration, poster/graphic,

interactive and video.

Winners will be announced by NSF and Popular Science, be

featured on their websites, and will win cash prizes. An

Experts' Choice winner in each category will receive $2,000,

and the People's Choice winner in each category will receive

$250.00.

Voting closes Sunday, Dec. 4 at 11:59 p.m. PST

so cast your vote now!

If you have questions, please contact us at vizzies@nsf.gov.

Subscriber Services: Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe | Help | Contact

NSF

(5) Top News Items from the ASA

New Survey Shows Employers Struggling to Meet Demand for Data Analysts

More and more public- and private-sector employers are adding statisticians and data analysts to their ranks, but are having a difficult time finding qualified candidates, according to a new national survey released by the Society for

Human Resource Management and sponsored by the American Statistical Association.

READ MORE

ASA and AAPOR Issue Joint Statement on Survey Incentives

With polling top-of-mind at the end of what has been an exhausting election cycle, ASA President Jessica Utts and AAPOR President Roger Tourangeau issued a joint statement on the use of incentives to attract individuals to participate in surveys. The statement is in response to an LA Times article that described the use of incentives to encourage survey participation as "bribery."

READ MORE

Call for Nominations for 2017 COPSS Awards

The COPSS Awards are multi-society awards presented at the Joint Statistical Meetings each year. In 2017, four awards will be presented: The Fisher Award and Lectureship, the Presidents' Award, the F. N. David Award, and the Snedecor Award. Nominate someone you know!

The nomination deadline for the 2017 Fisher Award is December 15, 2016; the deadline for the other awards is January 15, 2017.

READ MORE

(6) Submit a proposal to the ASA Biopharm Section Regulatory-Industry Statistics

Workshop

Your Workshop, Your Ideas—It's Time to

Submit Session Proposals

Submission Deadline—December 2

As a member of the ASA Biopharmaceutical Section, this really is your workshop, and your work and ideas ought to be part of it. Submit a proposal for a concurrent session, short course, or town hall at the 2017 ASA Biopharmaceutical Section Regulatory-Industry Statistics Workshop!

If you have plans for Thanksgiving, be sure to allow time before or after to submit your proposal by the December 2 deadline. We don't want you to miss this valuable opportunity to share or showcase your work with peers and colleagues.

The 2017 workshop includes short courses on the first day, followed by two days of sessions about the science and statistics associated with the development of new medical products, including pharmaceuticals, biologics, and devices. This year, up to eight half-day short courses will take place at the workshop, though full-day courses may be considered.

Poster and roundtable proposal submissions will open January 4.

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